MRAM Manufacture - Page 5

Shin-Etsu Chemical develops the world's largest-class permanent magnet-type magnetic circuit

Shin-Etsu Chemical has succeeded in developing a large-size magnetic circuit which will be the world's largest-class permanent magnet-type magnetic circuit. Its total weight is about 10 tons, and it will be used mainly in manufacturing-process applications, such as for the making of next-generation MRAM semiconductors and MR (Magneto Resistive) sensors.

For the manufacturing of MRAMs, heat treatment in a magnetic field is essential, and in that process, generation of a very large magnetic field of more than 1 tesla is required. So far, electromagnets and superconducting magnets have been used for this purpose. However, recently many semiconductor manufacturers are adopting permanent magnet-type magnetic circuits because of their good magnetic-field performance and magnetic-field stability, as well as the fact that these permanent magnet-type magnetic circuits have the advantage of being power-saving and maintenance-free. At the same time, with the trend in recent years toward larger-diameter silicon wafers, the need for these types of larger magnetic circuits has been increasing.

Shin-Etsu Chemical has been manufacturing various large-size magnetic circuits using its rare earth magnets. With its total weight of about 10 tons, cylindrical shape of 1.4-meter diameter and height of 1-meter, the new type of magnetic circuit that Shin-Etsu has now developed is the world's largest-class permanent magnet-type magnetic circuit that generates a strong magnetic field. This magnetic circuit is being introduced ahead of other companies worldwide for application in the processing of 300mm wafers.
Read the full story Posted: Apr 10,2008

BAE Systems to productize Micromem's patented technology

Micromem Technologies is pleased to announce that BAE Systems, the premier global defense and aerospace company, is in the process of transferring the Micromem's MRAM and sensor technology to its Nashua New Hampshire foundry facility. BAE Systems plans to complete the productization of Micromem's technology over the coming months. The focus is for the planned integration of Micromem's patented technology into the BAE Systems military platforms and product pipeline.

Micromem's patented submicron nano-sensor technology can enable and enhance highly accurate magnetometers and "over-the-horizon" threat detection solutions for application in homeland security and defense force protection. The technology is also applicable in enabling solutions in many other areas such as providing early detection and "pre-failure" weak-parts/defect identification in product manufacturing. The intrinsic low-power characteristics of Micromem's technology lend itself to numerous new applications as well as suitability into harsh environments such as those experienced in the aerospace and automotive sector.

Joseph Fuda, President and CEO stated, "This partnership is the ultimate technical validation that Micromem has been looking for. To partner with a global leader such as BAE Systems is the ideal situation for Micromem and the successful productization of our technology. The vast array of applications that BAE Systems can facilitate through its client base will fundamentally change the face of the company and its future."
Read the full story Posted: Apr 01,2008

Micromem has closed additional $400,000 financing

Micromem Technologies Inc. (OTC BB: MMTIF) is pleased to announce that it has raised $400,000 by way of arms length private placements ranging from $0.45-$0.48 per share. The shares issued will be subject to Rule 144. These funds are in addition to the previously announced financing dated October 18, 2007. These funds will be used to further the company's effort to commercialize its patented MRAM technology for a wide variety of uses beyond RFID applications. No commission was paid on this financing.


With respect to the company's previously announced financing efforts, management will continue to pursue this opportunity.

Read the full story Posted: Nov 06,2007

Micromem: MRAM wafers are in production

Micromem is pleased to announce that as of September 20 2007 the MRAM wafers are in production in the global Communications Semiconductor, Inc. (GCS) foundry. On September 17, 2007 Strategic Solutions, a design partner of Micromem, released the approved reticle design to the foundry. The reticle design incorporates an extensive matrix of tests to be  performed on the Micromem MRAM bit structure as it is processed through the foundry. By October 29, 2007 the reticle test matrix will yield valuable information of the MRAM  scalability, power consumption, read write speed and cross talk separation. Micromem is also planning additional radiation hardening test that will validate and supplement similar testing previously communicated in our May 24, 2007 press release.

Steven Van Fleet, Micromem's Project Director for this foundry phase stated The entire team, Strategic Solutions, GCS and Micromem are extremely pleased with the foundry plan, schedule and reticle test plan. Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) is proving to have been a wise choice for our targeted applications. GaAs has two distinct advantages over silicon: speed and power. For the same power dissipation, a GaAs circuit is faster, at the same speed, the power in a GaAs circuit is usually lower. This is key to our targeted markets.

Read the full story Posted: Sep 25,2007

Micromem on track to raise 8.5M$

Micromem Technologies has received very encouraging feedback regarding its financing efforts in Europe. The company has been advised by the agent they have encountered no issues with  completing the financing. In a previously announced press release, it remains the company’s intention to raise US$8,500,000. The agent reserves the right to close in tranches.

A portion of  the funds have been earmarked to engage an identified U.S. based foundry that will enable the company to accomplish its commercialization plans. The purpose of the foundry is to design  and build a commercial MRAM device utilizing Microme m’s patented technology.

Read the full story Posted: Aug 09,2007

Singulus has established a subsidiary for magnetic storage, MRAM and semi-conductor technology

Singulus has established a fully-owned subsidiary for the growth market magnetic storage, MRAM and semi-conductor technology. The new 100 % subsidiary of the Singulus Technologies AG is called 'Singulus Nano Deposition Technologies GmbH' and located in Kahl. Managing Directors are the present division manager, Dr. Wolfram Maass, as well as the CEO of the parent company, Stefan A. Baustert.

All of SINGULUS' activities for this particularly sophisticated target market have already been combined under the name of 'Nano Deposition Technologies'. Following the break-through of the newly offered machine concept, the next logical strategic step was the focusing. With the Singulus Nano Deposition Technologies GmbH Singulus intends to benefit even more from the growing volumes in these specialized markets.

Read the full story Posted: Jun 05,2007

Agilent Technologies Reduces Endurance Test Time for Non-Volatile Memory Cells From Days to Hours

Agilent Technologies today announced new hardware and software capabilities for its B1500A Semiconductor Device Analyzer and EasyEXPERT software test shell, which reduce the time required for the testing and characterization of advanced non-volatile memory (NVM) cells and other next-generation semiconductor devices.

The Agilent B1500A meets the industry’s need for an instrument-based solution that supports modern NVM technology requirements, including MRAM, PRAM, RRAM, NAND and NOR Flash, such as support for voltages greater than 20 V and precise control over the pulse level, and leading and trailing edges. The B1500A with EasyEXPERT and the HV-SPGU is designed to allow users to complete endurance testing of NVM cells up to 10 times faster than with previous solutions.

Read the full story Posted: Apr 18,2007

Tegal Corporation Reports 2Q 2007 Financial Results. Sold an MRAM etch system sale to Crocus

Revenues during the second quarter of fiscal 2007 were $5.1 million, a decrease of 20% from $6.4 million reported in the same period last year, and a decrease of 22% sequentially from the $6.6 million recorded for the first quarter of fiscal 2007.

Quarterly shipments included an advanced etch system for the manufacturing of MRAM devices to the well-funded European start-up, Crocus Technologies SA of Grenoble, France, along with several 900 and 980 series etch tools to companies in Japan, Europe and the United States.

Read the full story Posted: Nov 14,2006

Micromem signs Strategic Solutions accelerating lab-to-fab commercialization effort

Micromem today announced that it has retained the services of Strategic Solutions, a California-based engineering firm specializing in "lab-to-fab" transitions, to continue Micromem's pursuit of commercializing its HCS MRAM technology.

The engineers at Strategic Solutions will work directly with Micromem's Chief Technology Officer, Dr. Cynthia Kuper, to road map Micromem's HCS MRAM and to fabricate the memory.

This road map provides specific information on what types of memory products HCS MRAM can replace and estimates the specific price points for given applications. Strategic Solutions also provides detailed specifications on the functioning of HCS MRAM as it scales and delivers discrete project plans and milestones for each step in the productization process.

Read the full story Posted: Aug 09,2006

Singulus gets a new, follow-up order for MRAM production machine

Singulus has received a follow-up contract for a TIMARIS system. The customer that had placed an order with Singulus Technologies for a TIMARIS system for Thin Film Read/Write Heads on December 28, 2005, has now ordered an additional machine, the analyst reports. Including the two orders from the completed second quarter, a total of five sets of TIMARIS machines are scheduled for delivery, the analyst says.
The new order indicates that customers are very happy with the quality of the equipment, the analyst says. Apart from the production of MRAM memory components, the TIMARIS machines may be used in the segment of harddisks, the analyst mentions

Read more here

Read the full story Posted: Jul 28,2006